Scientific Comparison Study on the Joseon Dynasty Palace Roof Tiles and Modern Handmade Roof Tiles

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to scientifically analyze physicochemical characteristics of the roof tiles used for palaces in the Joseon Dynasty which stored in Changdeokgung material storage and Seooreung Jaesil and the modern handmade ones which made by N company to understand the differences between their manufacturing techniques. Through chromaticity, cross-sectional observation, component analysis, and crystal structure analysis, it was possible to confirm the physicochemical properties and fired properties of the roof tile. Roof tiles from the Joseon Dynasty have a wider colorimetric range and higher apparent porosity and water absorption, on average, than the modern roof tiles. The cross section of the Joseon Dynasty roof tiles shows that most clay minerals have not been vitrified, remaining in the form of atypical particles, while the modern roof tiles have denser clay materials. X-ray diffraction analysis identified low-temperature minerals such as micas in Joseon roof tiles but no peak of these minerals was observed in the modern roof tiles, implying that the modern ones are fired at higher temperature than the Joseon ones. Therefore, the modern roof tiles are fired at higher temperature and have higher density than the Joseon ones due to the use of pugmills. The general content of main ingredients was similar between the two. Additionally, the principal component analysis of trace elements in the Joseon roof tiles showed that most samples were from similar areas. It seems that the Joseon roof tiles were manufactured using soils supplied from a specific region at the same timeframe and their consistency in the content of principal components implies that they also have similar mix proportions of clay.